Wales coach Rob Howley has been urged to be bold by selecting Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric together and James Hook at 10 in the Six Nations opener against Ireland.

Thousands of fans took part in our People’s Team survey where we canvassed the public view on Howley’s Wales XV for the February 2 Millennium Stadium clash.

The message to the caretaker coach was clear as more than three quarters of those polled demanded in-form Ospreys openside Tipuric starts the game, with skipper Warburton moved to blindside.

The bold move would mean Wales playing without a bruiser at six, but you believe Tipuric and Warburton would make an exciting combination together to combat the Irish back row trio of captain Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Chris Henry.

Warburton and Tipuric easily won the vote for the two flanker positions, with Ryan Jones, fitness permitting, picked by you at lock instead and Aaron Shingler, Josh Navidi and Josh Turnbull receiving limited support.

Despite the shock call-up for Blues skipper Andries Pretorius, Toby Faletau is your overwhelming choice at No.8. to slot in between Tipuric and Warburton.

Dragons ace Faletau polled 90 per cent of the votes, with just five per cent for Pretorius.

Perpignan’s James Hook is your choice to play at outside half. and made his return from a shoulder problem against Italian side Rovigo on Thursday night. He edged out rival Dan Biggar by netting 54 per cent of the vote – even though Howley has appeared to show little confidence in picking Hook and will probably plump for the Ospreys man instead.